The role of GABA(B) receptors in the regulation of excitatory neurotransmission. 2008

Fiona H Marshall
Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, UK. fhm24@cam.ac.uk

GABA(B) receptors are the metabotrophic receptors for GABA. They are members of the G-protein coupled superfamily of receptors but are highly unusual as they are made up of a dimer of 7-transmembrane spanning subunits. The receptors are widely distributed throughout the central nervous system where they act post-synaptically to cause a long-lasting hyperpolarisation through the activation of a potassium conductance. They are also present pre-synaptically where they act as auto and heteroreceptors to inhibit neurotransmitter release. GABA(B) receptors play a complex role in the regulation of excitatory transmission and their activation can have both inhibitory and dis-inhibitory effects. This has profound physiological and behavioural consequences including modification of LTP and memory, regulation of seizure activity and nociception.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D009433 Neural Inhibition The function of opposing or restraining the excitation of neurons or their target excitable cells. Inhibition, Neural
D009435 Synaptic Transmission The communication from a NEURON to a target (neuron, muscle, or secretory cell) across a SYNAPSE. In chemical synaptic transmission, the presynaptic neuron releases a NEUROTRANSMITTER that diffuses across the synaptic cleft and binds to specific synaptic receptors, activating them. The activated receptors modulate specific ion channels and/or second-messenger systems in the postsynaptic cell. In electrical synaptic transmission, electrical signals are communicated as an ionic current flow across ELECTRICAL SYNAPSES. Neural Transmission,Neurotransmission,Transmission, Neural,Transmission, Synaptic
D005680 gamma-Aminobutyric Acid The most common inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. 4-Aminobutyric Acid,GABA,4-Aminobutanoic Acid,Aminalon,Aminalone,Gammalon,Lithium GABA,gamma-Aminobutyric Acid, Calcium Salt (2:1),gamma-Aminobutyric Acid, Hydrochloride,gamma-Aminobutyric Acid, Monolithium Salt,gamma-Aminobutyric Acid, Monosodium Salt,gamma-Aminobutyric Acid, Zinc Salt (2:1),4 Aminobutanoic Acid,4 Aminobutyric Acid,Acid, Hydrochloride gamma-Aminobutyric,GABA, Lithium,Hydrochloride gamma-Aminobutyric Acid,gamma Aminobutyric Acid,gamma Aminobutyric Acid, Hydrochloride,gamma Aminobutyric Acid, Monolithium Salt,gamma Aminobutyric Acid, Monosodium Salt
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D001522 Behavior, Animal The observable response an animal makes to any situation. Autotomy Animal,Animal Behavior,Animal Behaviors
D015398 Signal Transduction The intracellular transfer of information (biological activation/inhibition) through a signal pathway. In each signal transduction system, an activation/inhibition signal from a biologically active molecule (hormone, neurotransmitter) is mediated via the coupling of a receptor/enzyme to a second messenger system or to an ion channel. Signal transduction plays an important role in activating cellular functions, cell differentiation, and cell proliferation. Examples of signal transduction systems are the GAMMA-AMINOBUTYRIC ACID-postsynaptic receptor-calcium ion channel system, the receptor-mediated T-cell activation pathway, and the receptor-mediated activation of phospholipases. Those coupled to membrane depolarization or intracellular release of calcium include the receptor-mediated activation of cytotoxic functions in granulocytes and the synaptic potentiation of protein kinase activation. Some signal transduction pathways may be part of larger signal transduction pathways; for example, protein kinase activation is part of the platelet activation signal pathway. Cell Signaling,Receptor-Mediated Signal Transduction,Signal Pathways,Receptor Mediated Signal Transduction,Signal Transduction Pathways,Signal Transduction Systems,Pathway, Signal,Pathway, Signal Transduction,Pathways, Signal,Pathways, Signal Transduction,Receptor-Mediated Signal Transductions,Signal Pathway,Signal Transduction Pathway,Signal Transduction System,Signal Transduction, Receptor-Mediated,Signal Transductions,Signal Transductions, Receptor-Mediated,System, Signal Transduction,Systems, Signal Transduction,Transduction, Signal,Transductions, Signal
D017729 Presynaptic Terminals The distal terminations of axons which are specialized for the release of neurotransmitters. Also included are varicosities along the course of axons which have similar specializations and also release transmitters. Presynaptic terminals in both the central and peripheral nervous systems are included. Axon Terminals,Nerve Endings, Presynaptic,Synaptic Boutons,Synaptic Terminals,Axon Terminal,Bouton, Synaptic,Boutons, Synaptic,Ending, Presynaptic Nerve,Endings, Presynaptic Nerve,Nerve Ending, Presynaptic,Presynaptic Nerve Ending,Presynaptic Nerve Endings,Presynaptic Terminal,Synaptic Bouton,Synaptic Terminal,Terminal, Axon,Terminal, Presynaptic,Terminal, Synaptic,Terminals, Axon,Terminals, Presynaptic,Terminals, Synaptic
D018080 Receptors, GABA-B A subset of GABA RECEPTORS that signal through their interaction with HETEROTRIMERIC G-PROTEINS. Baclofen Receptors,GABA-B Receptors,Baclofen Receptor,GABA receptor rho1,GABA type B receptor, subunit 1,GABA(B)R1,GABA(B)R1 receptor,GABA(B)R1a protein,GABA(B)R1a receptor,GABA(B)R1b protein,GABA(B)R1b receptor,GABA-B Receptor,GABBR1 protein,GB1a protein,GB1b protein,GBR1B protein,Receptors, Baclofen,rho1 subunit, GABA receptor
D018756 GABA Antagonists Drugs that bind to but do not activate GABA RECEPTORS, thereby blocking the actions of endogenous GAMMA-AMINOBUTYRIC ACID and GABA RECEPTOR AGONISTS. gamma-Aminobutyric Acid Antagonists,GABA Antagonist,GABA Receptor Antagonists,Acid Antagonists, gamma-Aminobutyric,Antagonist, GABA,Antagonists, GABA,Antagonists, GABA Receptor,Antagonists, gamma-Aminobutyric Acid,Receptor Antagonists, GABA,gamma Aminobutyric Acid Antagonists

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